The sponsor of this year’s Armed Forces Day is calling on local veterans to come forward to receive special medals and badges at the event.

The council-run Armed Forces Day 2016 will be held at Himley Hall and Park on Sunday June 26 to celebrate the work of servicemen and women.

Forces Recruitment Services is this year’s principal sponsor and regional director and ex-Army serviceman, Paul Lewis, is keen to make sure that as many veterans as possible come forward to receive their honours at this prestigious event. He said:

“Recognising the contribution of veterans by seeing them receive their badges is an important part of Armed Forces Day. 

“We are calling on servicemen and women who are entitled to or have already been sent their HM Armed Forces Badges to have them officially presented during the day’s formal proceedings.”

The event will run from 11am to 5pm and will include a presentation of medals and badges including the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge by the Mayor of Dudley to veterans living in the borough.

Councillor Steve Waltho, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“I was fortunate to be the Mayor of Dudley for last year’s Armed Forces Day especially during the formal proceedings. I was particularly moved as I presented well-deserved badges to veterans.

“It is a great family day which attracts thousands of visitors each year. 

“It is free-entry and all generations of the family can spend time together in the Park and find lots of things to do whilst celebrating our Forces.” 

The event will include a youth marching band competition, a display of historic military vehicles, and children’s entertainment including obstacle courses. There will be RAF Cosford Voluntary Band performances and the spectacular Beating of the Retreat.

Anyone who thinks they are entitled to one of the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badges should call the Veterans UK helpline on 0808 1914 218 or email dbs-modmo-vetsbadge@mod.uk to apply or for medal queries DBS-Medals@mod.uk.  Veterans need to have applied for and received their badges in order to have them presented on the day.   

Second World War veterans who served on the arctic convoys and in the Bomber Command can also apply for their badge before Armed Forces Day by calling the Veterans UK helpline.

Anyone who has already received one of the badges but has not had it formally presented to them before, can contact Dudley Council on 01384 818186 to be part of the ceremony.